Valerie

How about not going to Europe for a few years until the child is old enough? Isn't it true that when you become a parent sometimes you must make sacrifices for the children, especially if you are worried about their well being while away. The above posting was very insightful about the separation anxiety of the small kids. Now, again I tell you that I don't have children so I can only give an outside opinion. You above posters might very well be responsible parents, but there are people out there that let their child cry and misbehave around people who are paying to have a nice quiet time. I don't consider myself a mean person nor annoyed easily by any means. My goodness, we are world travelers here and are used to inconviences and accepting of it. But you must agree that there are a lot of irresposible parents out there! Those are the ones that we are talking about. Yes a child should be remove when he cries for more than several mins. That is just common curteousy.

Dorothy

Thank heavens the anti-kid people aren't reproducing; but evidently some were hatched anyway! <BR> <BR>FYI-- the Trapp Family lodge doesn't permit children. <BR> <BR>We are a hypocritical nation and NOT kid-centered by any matter of means (except making profit on kids as consumers) -- and the lousy behavior of so many kids just proves it. We are a nation of perpetual adolescents, selfish and demanding; and we don't want to share anything, including air travel, with younger siblings (or, apparently, the disabled or elderly)-- much less be helpful. <BR> <BR>I agree, if taking a 2-year along involves being unable to keep her occupied and comfortable and not tailoring the trip to what is reasonable, then why do it? On the other hand, why have a kid if you are never home and want to do a lot of leisure traveling? <BR> <BR>One solution for the well-heeled is to take a Granny or a nanny along for the express purpose of helping out. <BR> <BR>Two IS a little young -- and it's usually the summer after 2nd birthday when toilet training works best -- if she's not already trained, you're going to have a hassle -- why visit that on her? <BR> <BR>But best to consider a test-run trip much closer to home. From her point of view, unless you have European friends or relatives you are visiting and will see again often, travel to Europe could be tedious and meaningless until she's school-age. <BR> <BR>Wish I'd been able to take mine before he left the nest -- depends on the kid, but I think somewhere between 10 and 12 is ideal.

Diane

Kim, I hope you had a good trip! <BR> <BR>My 3 year old just got her first passport in the mail...Yes, we are taking her to Europe. She's a good traveler and we chose a flight that departs at night. We also plan for her to get a little out of sorts and bring food and familiar toys. I've been preparing her for months with books about different experiences (Eloise-in the Plaza Hotel, Curious George in the chocolate factory etc.) We also have planned house rental, car rental, and staying with family. I think her meeting her great-grandma on her 80th birthday will be well worth all the trouble! Buy the book Take your Kids to Europe for some good advice for those of you contemplating the idea.

AJ

My goodness! This one's been topped, as well as the other "taking the kids to Europe" threads! After several months of blissful silence. My kids will be grown up before this issue is ever settled.

martah python

AJ, this will never be settled.

wombat

I think very small children should have vacations where they can frolic on a beach with regular mealtimes/naptimes -- and not be carted around all day. And some kids sleep better on planes than others.............. <BR>

lisa

While I will decline to weigh in with my opinion on this issue (I had my fill of that on the U.S. forum with the "Why Bring Babies Everywhere" thread), I would suggest that anyone interested in the issue of travelling abroad with children may be interested in a book I came across at the bookstore recently. It's called "One Year Off" by David Cohen, and it's about the author's trip AROUND THE WORLD with his wife and children -- not just Europe but Costa Rica, India, Australia, etc. I think the book would be of some interest to world travellers without kids as well. It's really for anyone who has ever fantasized about taking a year off and travelling the globe (who hasn't?). There is also a website at www.oneyearoff.com.